In previous discussions, considerable support for the idea of reducing
the ARRL
160M contest period to a SINGLE NIGHT (Saturday) has been expressed.
Presently, this contest begins on Friday AFTERNOON (in December)
in North America and ends on Sunday Morning. To compete effectively,
one must be ready at or before local sunset, requiring most participants
to take vacation time on Friday to compete.
While there is some DX activity, this is primarily a domestic/North
American
event. Serious competitors report making 75% of their contacts on the
first
night and must then stay up all night again on Saturday to eek out the
remaining 25% of mostly North American contacts. Many find this a bit
much to ask to work mostly domestic contacts. Many DX'ers complain about
the
loss of prime winter DX conditions to contest activity and QRM.
Reducing the ARRL 160M contest to a single night beginning on Saturday
afternoon in North America and ending Sunday morning, would concentrate
activity to that one night, reducing the impact on weekday events
(work/school),
allow more operators an opportunity to compete effectively, maintain
higher
rates during the operating period, and reduce the impact on other
activities
on the band.
Debate the issues at DAYTON and send your thoughts and vote
(ONE NIGHT vs. TWO NIGHTS) to me directly at N4KG@JUNO.COM.
Results of this survey will be published on the contest and topband
reflectors
and forwarded to the ARRL Contest Advisory Committee.
73, Tom N4KG
.
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